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This blog is for anyone whoever picked up a book and couldn't put it down. It's for anyone who loves to read and reads often. It's for anyone like me who's been seduced by a book and can't wait to discuss it.

My Picks for April

Friday, August 31, 2012

Romancing the Hop International Giveaway (August 31st - September 3rd)

What is your favorite thing about Romance? Well, we authors are ready to share our romantic tips and favorite romance reads! Starting on Friday, August 31st, over 100 Authors and Bloggers will share their favorite things about romance, reading romance, and dating.

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep. There will be over 100 giveaways on each blog hosted by that Author or Blogger.

But that's not all....

We have THREE Grand Prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 100 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The Above Swag Pack!

Yep. ALL of that! Whoot! Be sure to check out all the blogs over the weekend to enjoy some stories and facts about our favorite Romance events and reads and enter to win!

How do you qualify to win one of the Grand Prizes?

Each time you leave a comment on a blog (NOT via Rafflecopter) you are entered. Meaning you can comment on ALL blogs.

What do I love about romance novels?

I read just about anything under the sun when it comes to books, but you'll notice a heavy slant in the direction toward romances. Why? Well, I've always seen romances as my comfort reads. Some are lighthearted, some include more suspense, some include devastatingly handsome characters which sport pointy fangs or fur, but one thing they all have in common is that they all include something we all covet--LOVE.

They say love makes the world go round and I believe it. Whether it be love of money, family, friends, significant other, children, or even one's own self, I believe it is a crucial part of what makes us who we are. I've been reading romance for years and while I'm not a hundred percent certain what the first love story I ever read was, I'd wager it was either Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty.

Over the years I've been teased about my love of romances. My mother once banned me from reading them when I was in high school. She was going through her second divorce at the time and was of the mindset that they would poison my head with thoughts of fairy tale endings. Believe me, after watching my parents go through a divorce I was under no delusions that every marriage ends in a happily ever after. What I like about romance novels, however, is that they cater to the thought 'wouldn't it be nice if they did?' Well, most of the romances I read tend to gravitate toward that kind of ending.

With romances I can live a million lives and love as many times. I can be transported back in time to see how I might have been courted in Elizabethan or Victorian times. I can travel the world or stay right where I am. One thing is for sure, even if a person has a fairy ring growing in their backyard (like me) there's no guarantee that it'll magically transport them to another time or place, but a good book will. 'The Great Escape' (which, incidentally, is the name of the book I'm reading below) is just a book away. 'Have book, will travel' is one of my mottos.

My favorite kind of romances are those of a historical or supernatural nature. When the two are combined (which sadly is not very often) I am in a state of utter bliss. Some of my favorite authors are Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Nalini Singh, Jeaniene Frost, Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter, and Christie Craig. Believe me the list goes on and on and I will probably wish later that I'd included more of them on my list. Once I latch on to an author I pretty much devour their books and love anything they've written. I love reading their early work as much as their later work and seeing how their writing style has varied and developed over the years.

I don't think I'd be very good at giving tips on dating (I've been married 20 years this past June), but here is some advice handed down to me about the secrets to a happy marriage:

- Nobody's perfect (not even you) so don't expect your spouse to be.
- Never go to bed at night angry with each other.
- At times you'll be tempted to, but try not to let yourself go. Make sure to wear make up and dress up every now and then.
- Never sweat the small stuff. Life too short to spend your time worrying over the little things. Leave that for the big things that come along.
- Always attempt to make 'we' time to keep the romance going.

So to enter my giveaway and the Grand Prize giveaway hosted by Carrie Ann, make sure you're a member of my blog and leave a comment about what your favorite things about romance novels are and why.

(Yes, mushrooms have been growing all summer in my backyard in rings.)

My Giveaway:

I'm giving away a romance novel worth up to $10 (US Dollars) of the winner's choice from The Book Depository

Rules for Eligibility:

Only residents 18 years of age and from the countries included in the following list created by The Book Depository are eligible:

Additionally, some books from The Book Depository may not be available to be sent to your country and/or sent from the US. If this situation is encountered, the winner must choose a different book. Sorry, I had this happen with someone.

Please leave either your email address or a link to your Goodreads profile so I may get in contact with you to get your mailing address. No P.O. Boxes, please.

Become a follower of my blog, if you aren't already.

Winner will be randomly chosen. Giveaway ends September 3rd, at midnight Eastern time. Winners will be posted on my blog and notified by email or message posted to them via Goodreads. Winners will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Good Luck!

My favorite things about romance novels are the happily ever afters because I LOVE to see two people fall in love and stay that way. I also like the gradual falling of love as well because it makes for a better, more enjoyable story in my opinion. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Thanks for participating! Really like the hop so far!! I love reading, especially romance. I love reading contemporary, historical and erotic romance. I love the happy ending that is garenteed at the end. My favorite book is Lover Mine by JR Ward! I love John Matthew and Xhex. My favorite romantic moment was when my fiancé asked me to marry him! We meant two years ago right around when summer was ending when my friend and I went out for our last big night out before classes started again. I think it is romantic when he brings me flowers because no one else has ever done it! Thanks so much! Hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!!

I love reading romance books because it is an escape away from real life, knowing in the end that the girl gets the guy and they live happy ever after....I have met my Love and we do have a Happy Ever After...

Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaways! This is so much fun! Thank you! My favorite thing about romance is the romance. lol I love the characters, the plots, the HEA's, the love. I love it all!shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

My favorite thing about romance novels is the HEA, the path that leads to it, and a strong alpha male that I can fall in love with! The are a great escape from daily life, and a way to dream of "the perfect man".

Thanks for the post!I like that there is always a process. They meet, they fall in love, they overcome something and fall in love more and live happily ever after. :-) I like the true love in the stories!!

You and I find our heaven the same way, give us a historical with some paranormal and I am happy for days! Historical is my favorite sub genre, I keep coming back to it inbetween everything else I read. It is romantic in a way nothing else is, then when you throw in some paranormal you never know what you will get!!!

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for the marriage advice. I totally agree with don't sweat the small stuff (not that I don't agree with the rest) and am always telling the hubby the same. Love the picture too. ;)trb0917 at gmail.com

I'm a gfc follower. My favorite things about romance novels are the happy endings, the light reading (don't have to think about it so much, the feelings and so much more. Thanks for being a part of the hop. I hope that you had a great Labor day weekend!jessangil at gmail dot com